2009 Owner Awards

[sovstar]

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

[ifl]JAY CARO[/ifl], QB PORTLAND SEALS

In putting together what could arguably be tabbed as the greatest single-season quarterback performance in IFL history Jay Caro led the Portland Seals to an IFL-record 14 regular season wins. His 106.9 QB rating, a mark vastly improved up from the 2008 season (89.5), ranks second all-time. Caro was also named Solecismic League MVP (first non-RB to win the award), Solecismic Offensive Player of the Year, All-League 1st Team Quarterback, AC Pro Bowl Quarterback, and Owners' Offensive Player of the Year (see below).

2009 Statistics
343-531 completions (64.6%), 4,377 passing yards, 8.24 yards/att, 34 td, 6 int, 106.9 qb rating

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: [ifl]Brian Dixon[/ifl], RB Little Rock; [ifl]Wilford Timmerman[/ifl], RB Houston; [ifl]James Tart[/ifl], RB Salt Lake City

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

[ifl]JAY CARO[/ifl], QB PORTLAND SEALS

(see above)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: [ifl]Brian Dixon[/ifl], RB Little Rock; [ifl]Olin Holst[/ifl], WR St. Louis; [ifl]Lenny Romano[/ifl], WR Lawrence; [ifl]Wilford Timmerman[/ifl], RB Houston

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

[ifl]OLIVER MCKENZIE[/ifl], CB MURFREESBORO MULES

The Murfreesboro Mules surpassed the .500 mark for the first time in their franchise and Oliver McKenzie played a huge role in accomplishing that. The Mules led the league in takeaways and McKenzie had eleven of them. That mark was second only to Garfield Rhodes' 2004 single-season total of 12. McKenzie, who was traded by the Georgia Generals prior to the '09 season, proved himself to be a true franchise player on the other side of the ball. Selected 3rd overall in IFL's first amateur draft in 2004, McKenzie was later named Solecismic Defensive Rookie of the Year.

2009 Statistics
11 interceptions, 17 passes defensed, 63 tackles, 24 assists

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: [ifl]David Day[/ifl], ILB Iowa City; [ifl]Louie Maldonado[/ifl], DE St. Louis; [ifl]Jason Minton[/ifl], DE Norfolk

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

[ifl]ALONZO BOOHER[/ifl], K HARTFORD GRIZZLIES

Alonzo Booher is no stranger to marvelous kicking and when called upon, he rarely missed a kick. Booher decided to retire after the 2009 season, shortly after winning the Imperial Bowl with the Grizzlies.

2009 Statistics
29-33 field goals (87.9%), 57 long, 45-45 extra points

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: [ifl]Percy Brenner[/ifl], CB Norfolk; [ifl]Lawrence Wiggins[/ifl], CB Little Rock

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

[ifl]DANA GLOVER[/ifl], WR LAWRENCE PHANTOMS

The deep-threat from the University of Virginia was exactly what the doctor ordered as the Phantoms dynamic receiver duo of Romano-Glover wreaked havoc all season long.

2009 Statistics
59 receptions, 1,025 yards, 7 td, 26.4 kick return avg

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: [ifl]Roy Ramsey[/ifl], RB Cleveland; [ifl]Xavier Armstrong[/ifl], QB Vancouver

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

[ifl]JON HAWKINS[/ifl], OLB OAKLAND DEVILS

Jon Hawkins, selected 11th overall, beat out 31 other Devils linebackers for a starting spot. His 86 tackles tied him for 38th-best. His 2.5 sacks were good enough for 97th-best.

2009 Statistics
86 tackles, 29 assists, 2.5 sacks, 2 blocked passes, 3 hurries, 6 passes defensed

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: [ifl]Andrew Kinney[/ifl], DE Little Rock; [ifl]Al Armanda[/ifl], DT Georgia; [ifl]J.J. Johnson[/ifl], DT Cleveland; [ifl]Tyrus Boyles[/ifl], DE Georgia; [ifl]Neal Pearson[/ifl], CB Cleveland

BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR

[ifl]JIM HICKMAN[/ifl], QB HARTFORD GRIZZLIES

Committing to Quarterback U. finally paid off for Hickman as he proved himself to be one of the best signal-callers in the IFL. Hickman had his most efficient and productive season in 2009 as he led his Hartford squad all the way to the Imperial Bowl where he was named Imperial Bowl MVP. After the big game Hickman backed up Jay Caro in the Pro Bowl.

2009 Statistics
278-459 completions (60.6%), 3,512 passing yards, 28 td, 10 int, 95.7 qb rating

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: [ifl]Gaston Williams[/ifl], WR Portland; [ifl]Brady Lange[/ifl], RB Texas; [ifl]David Norris[/ifl], WR Georgia

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

JESTER BLAZE, LAWRENCE PHANTOMS

Best regular season record. Most potent offense ever. NC Champion. Black and Blue Warrior. Just a few notches of the outspoken Lawrence GM.

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Everybody gets a vote in my book!

[Hell Atlantic]

congrats to all the winners. well done.

[Pirates]

Great job!!

[SteveBsFan]

Congrats to all the winners!

I love you Timmerman, you're my boy blue!

[SteveBsFan]

(btw I know he didn't win, but cool to see some votes go his way. He rocks and really helped when Booker went down)

[sovstar]

I wonder what would have happened had I put my kicker on the ballot. He was picked to kick in the Pro Bowl over Booher and I didn't even vote for him.

[ifl]Jamie Dorris[/ifl]

[sovstar]

I'm obviously a little biased, but I think Caro should have been a unanimous MVP. I'd like to hear an argument for the other guys. Dixon? He has Given. Timmerman? So Houston lost Booker. The Seals lost Field. Tart? Are you kidding me?

[Kobeck]

Mules with some post season recongition that does not involve a FB carrying the ball 200+ times


I think McKenzie is second all time for the Mules in INTs in only 1 season 8)

[VitoStallion]

Congrats

[JesterBlaze]

Thanks immensely for the votes on Exec of the Year, guys!! I feel very grateful while at the same time this recently after the phantom appearance (pun intended) in the Imperial Bowl I gotta admit I feel a lot like Carrie walking up to the stage before the pig blood gets dropped on her. "Jester had the best season ever and no ring. Everybody point and laugh!"

I'm obviously a little biased, but I think Caro should have been a unanimous MVP. I'd like to hear an argument for the other guys. Dixon? He has Given. Timmerman? So Houston lost Booker. The Seals lost Field. Tart? Are you kidding me?

While I eventually voted for Caro it was very close in my mind between him and Dixon so I can give you a little info there: As I stated to you last season I felt that schedule had a lot to do with your record and Caro's success. Little Rock beat me head-to-head and I beat you head-to-head so Dixon brings a little more "fear factor" to this GM - not sure if you'd consider that biased or not.

[Warhammer]

As I stated to you last season I felt that schedule had a lot to do with your record and Caro's success.

That was part of my reason for doubting Caro was MVP material. How many quality teams did Portland beat this year? Outside of California, the only other quality team they played was Lawrence. Against Lawrence and California they went 1-2.

Still his raw numbers were awfully impressive, I just didn't think he was MVP material. I thought Hickman was a better candidate (look at the number of 4th quarter drives Hickman had. Look at the team's 3rd down conversion rate. He was clutch.). But, outside of Hickman, no one else stood out to me either.

[Warhammer]

I wonder what would have happened had I put my kicker on the ballot. He was picked to kick in the Pro Bowl over Booher and I didn't even vote for him.

[ifl]Jamie Dorris[/ifl]

When I looked at his stats, I was stunned he was picked over Booher in game.

[Warhammer]

Nice to Booher and Hickman get recognized for their achievements this year.

I'm not sure I'd take any QB in the league over Hickman, the only two candidates I'd consider are Caro and Lozier. He doesn't turn the ball over at critical times. I think 3 or 4 of his INTs this year came on bombs right before the end of the 1st half. If there is anytime to turn the ball over, that is it. Go for the points, if not, pin your opponent back deep in his end of the field. He also converts 3rd down plays. That is a vastly underrated stat, but converting 3rd downs means more sustained drives which leads to more points.

I'm really going to miss Booher. The great thing about him was that if we got to our opponent's 40 yard line we could attempt a FG with a reasonable chance of success. That is a big advantage late in games or at the end of a half when you need points and there is little disadvantage to a missed FGA.

[sovstar]

I wonder what would have happened had I put my kicker on the ballot. He was picked to kick in the Pro Bowl over Booher and I didn't even vote for him.

[ifl]Jamie Dorris[/ifl]

When I looked at his stats, I was stunned he was picked over Booher in game.

Okay, but I'm saying the Pro Bowl panel also picked Dorris over Booher.

[Warhammer]

I wonder what would have happened had I put my kicker on the ballot. He was picked to kick in the Pro Bowl over Booher and I didn't even vote for him.

[ifl]Jamie Dorris[/ifl]

When I looked at his stats, I was stunned he was picked over Booher in game.

Okay, but I'm saying the Pro Bowl panel also picked Dorris over Booher.

Aside from FG % (and that is a difference of one kick over 4 more attempts) I don't know how you pick Dorris over Booher. I'm also not saying that because Booher is on my team, I think that looking at the stats I'd pick Booher over Dorris easily. Heck, Booher didn't miss a PAT like Dorris did. :mrgreen: